Mack Hansen produces brilliant performance as Ireland respond to Farrell's demand

Following their previous underwhelming performance against Japan, Andy Farrell challenged his Ireland team to improve their performance.

Ireland responded immediately.

The Irish side had faded in the final stages against New Zealand and required considerable time to find their rhythm versus Japan.

Nevertheless, facing the Wallabies, they began strongly, with Mack Hansen shining most prominently during a comprehensive triumph that marked the team's best display of the season.

Making his debut international appearance at full-back, the player registered a three tries, contested brilliantly for high balls and performed exceptionally against the nation of his birth.

"Look, I've had a pretty difficult run with fitness issues really," the athlete stated.

"I missed being in this squad, I understand there's considerable talk about me not necessarily being born here and I wasn't raised here, but I adore this group and this feels like home.

"Any time I have to represent for Ireland it's a privilege, if you fail to deliver a performance you may not get that opportunity again.

"My whole approach this period was to take the field and do what I could do."

Manager stated: 'Excellent players don't need justifications'

After twenty-eight caps on the flank, the player was given the number 15 position for the initial time with several teammates unavailable.

For him, it was essentially a matter of picking up where he left off during the warmer months.

The experienced player had been in excellent form before injury ended his dream of making the Test team.

After returned last month, he developed a foot problem that made him unavailable for earlier fixtures.

The coach had suggested that the player was especially determined and these proved not hollow statements as the ex- provincial player gave his manager a positive team headache for upcoming games.

"So my first thoughts were, 'You better play excellently in those different colored boots!'," said Farrell, alluding to Hansen's decision to wear different footwear.

"In fact I believed that was appropriate but apparently Mack just made that himself anyway. So he's drawn notice to himself before he's even begun.

"I said to him before the game, 'Excellent players don't need excuses, they can perform and just play naturally, you can win the player of the game if you choose,' and he responded, 'Yes, I agree.'

"So he's that type of player, he trains thoroughly, he's has a excellent approach to understand his preparation and so that's why he slotted right back in and he was capable to perform naturally due to that."

Hansen's efforts also earned commendation from the opposing coach, who stated he was the "exceptional Australian performer" on the night.

"I thought he was outstanding, his experience was evident to the fore," commented the former international coach.

"Unfortunately, Hansen was probably the standout Australian performer on the pitch. He's got a excellent skillset and he's such a strong competitor."

When asked about what makes the player a good option at full-back, the coach added: "Appearing in the center of the field is something that he demonstrates from the flank regardless, but I imagine he's better in place for that more often.

"His high ball play was brilliant, wasn't it? I believed we didn't get bored of doing the right approach and that was putting the possession back on them to gain territory.

"Why that was the right strategy to do is since it's the likes of Mackie who was securing the balls returned, and other teammates, so [it's] quite pleasing."

Beyond the star performer, there were numerous positives for Farrell.

Another player was excellent on his return to the number 10 position, the set piece and throw-in operated smoothly and another player did not appear out of place in his debut start in the front row.

But possibly most satisfying for the manager was Ireland bookending the match with multiple impressive periods.

The player's first two scores occurred in the first eleven minutes while additional players scored in the closing exchanges after the opposition had crossed, ensuring the Irish side finished on a high.

"In my opinion we truly performed freely and attacked the game right from the beginning," said Farrell.

"How we managed various elements throughout the game, especially the opposition responding just before the break and reorganizing ourselves and producing a display like we did in the later stages, I believed as far as territory and being across the majority of our strategy in that later period was truly pleasing."

The might of South Africa are awaiting for the team, in what could be considered as an informal conclusion to last year's drawn multiple match series on rival territory.

Farrell's side will need to reach a higher level to defeat the back-to-back title holders, but Saturday's victory of the Australian team was a significant step in the right path after an uninspiring start to their autumn campaign.